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News Article

Suspected Terrorist Killed, Iraqi Police Nab 152 Others

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, July 5, 2005  One man was killed and three others detained after they were caught trying to plant improvised explosive devices in northern Iraq July 4, military officials in Baghdad reported today.

In Tal Afar, the military said, soldiers from Task Force Freedom's 2nd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, killed one suspected terrorist they witnessed placing an IED. A similar incident in northern Mosul led to the arrest of three more individuals by soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment.

In other news from Iraq, Iraqi army soldiers detained 152 suspected terrorists July 4 during search operations in Baghdad. Coalition soldiers assisted the 3rd Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division, in the early morning operation. Six Egyptians were among foreign fighters detained, officials said. Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, detained two people suspected of terrorist activity July 4at a checkpoint in eastern Mosul.

Iraqi police discovered an anti-aircraft missile system near Diwaniyah on July 4. An Iraqi explosive ordnance disposal team and a coalition quick-reaction force removed the device, described as a portable, shoulder-launched, low-altitude SA-7A missile system.

Today in Numaniyah, alert Iraqi police captured two men following a small-arms attack. Military officials said following the brief attack the two men fled the scene and headed toward Nasiryah. Iraqi police radioed a description of the suspected shooters to police operating a checkpoint ahead. There the suspects were stopped, identified and arrested.

The search for displaced Iraqis due to current military operations to root out terrorists in Iraq's Anbar province have come up empty, officials said. After an extensive search in the Qaim area by coalition forces and Iraqi Interior Ministry personnel, the military said there is no evidence of any large numbers of displaced persons. Coalition forces have employed unmanned aerial vehicles, ground patrols, and information from aid and other government agencies in their search, officials said. Coalition forces will continue to support efforts by the Health Ministry and humanitarian aid organizations, officials added, to care for any Iraqis displaced due to operations under way to rid the country of terrorists.